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Belle Vernon Area SD board debates how to fund school resource officers as neighboring municipalities decline to pay
Summary
The board discussed a school resource officer (SRO) agreement due in June and the district's current practice of paying roughly 60% of an SRO's salary while some municipalities contribute nothing; members considered short-term one-year agreements with municipalities, seeking outside funding, or raising millage to cover costs.
Board members spent a substantial portion of the Feb. 10 meeting discussing the district's school resource officer agreement, which is up for renewal in June. Board members said the district currently pays about 60% of an SRO's salary, with the host municipality covering the remainder. Several board members said four contributing municipalities are currently paying nothing toward SRO costs, creating an uneven funding burden.
One board member observed that Ross Traver Township (the municipality that hosts one campus) effectively subsidizes security for other municipalities, saying residents there are carrying a disproportionate share of the cost. The discussion explored three near-term options: (1) approach municipalities for a one-year agreement while their budgets are set; (2) seek external donations or alternative funding sources; or (3) raise the district millage so all taxpayers share the cost.
A board member noted the political difficulty of asking neighboring municipalities to start paying after their budgets are set and recommended timing conversations in early fall when municipalities develop budgets. Another participant observed that increasing millage would spread the cost districtwide but would be politically sensitive. No formal decision or vote was recorded at the meeting; the board signaled it would continue discussions with municipalities and consider a one-year agreement and further municipal outreach.
The SRO conversation was presented as a budgetary and equity issue rather than a debate over officer roles; board members repeatedly framed the issue around who bears the financial responsibility.
